Prince Andrew to visit destitute home in Kolkata

Kolkata, May 2 (IANS) Prince Andrew, son of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, is Thursday scheduled to visit a home for rescued, trafficked and orphaned girls and children of AIDS victims in Madhyamgram near here.

“Prince Andrew is slated to land at Kolkata from Mumbai around 11 a.m. and will head for Nijoloy. He will leave for Chennai later in the day,” a British Deputy High Commission official said.

Nilojoy, the home located in North 24 Pargana district, is supported by the British Deputy High Commission.

The Duke of York is on a week-long tour of India as part of the royal family’s visit to former colonies to mark the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

Meanwhile, the home’s inmates and staff members are excited about the Prince’s visit.

“We will accord him a traditional Indian welcome by garlanding him and putting a tilak on his forehead. There will also be dance and song programmes,” Himani Bose, the Nilojoy spokesperson, said.

The Prince’s visit is also aimed at strengthening ties with India in areas such as defence and trade.